Ronald L. Sturtz

Ronald L. Sturtz was born October 8, 1943, to Lowell W. and Barbara Rollett (Gilbert) Sturtz in Wenatchee, WA. Ron passed away Friday, January 24, 2014, at First Hill Swedish Hospital in Seattle, with his family at his side and among the many doctors, nurses and medical staff who provided him with such exceptional care. Ron was raised in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee and graduated from Eastmont High School in 1961. Following graduation from Kinman Business University, he worked for Douglas County PUD and Chevrolet Dealerships in Tonasket and Oak Harbor. For 42 years, Ron has been a tax accountant. In 1971, he went to work for Franklin, Homchick and Koch, CPA’s in their Chelan office, eventually working solely with J.D. Franklin. He then joined Karl Harding, CPA, starting his own practice after Karl passed away in 1995. Ron was an Enrolled Agent, with a large office in Chelan and a second office in East Wenatchee. Ron genuinely cared for his clients and was a friend to everyone.

He cherished his childhood memories of life on his grandparents’ ranch, located on the Columbia River across from the Spanish Castle. He enjoyed playing on the sandbar, fishing with grandpa and admiring his grandpa’s boat-making skills and telling how his grandpa made them their first set of water skis. Ron embraced life with enthusiasm and enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, dancing, and, above all, cars. He was a member of the Wenatchee Valley Corvette Club. He was unable to complete his latest project of restoring a 1937 Chevrolet Coupe. Ron was a perfectionist and excelled at everything he did. He was a genuine “handyman” and wasn’t afraid to pick up a hammer or saw and start a remodeling project or addition to the home. He was the “go to” guy for family and friends who needed an answer to most anything. Ron loved music and was active in choir and band while in school. He was a trumpet player in The Panamas, a Dixie Land band. He was also a member of the Wenatchee Apollo Club for many years.

Ron fought a brave battle the last two and a half years, overcoming significant odds. Through it all, he never complained and always showed a positive attitude. He was an amazing man and earned the respect and admiration of all who knew him and treated him.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Brian Louie and his team, the many doctors, nurses and technicians at Swedish Hospital, whom we lovingly referred to as our “second family”, and to Dr. Samuel Ortiz and his staff at Central Washington Physicians Clinic. He always looked forward to swapping hunting and fishing stories with Dr. Ortiz.

Ron was preceded in death by his father and step-mother, Lowell W. and Reva M. Sturtz, and his mother and step-father, Barbara R. and Richard Hein, all of Wenatchee; and his father-in-law, Morris E. Risen of Everett. Ron made his home in East Wenatchee for the last 26 years and is survived by his loving wife, Sandy; his daughter, Tina Sturtz of Seattle; son, Tony (Sheri) Sturtz of East Wenatchee; grandchildren, Martin (Kayla) Wachtel and Shelby Sturtz of East Wenatchee, Jessica Sturtz of Wenatchee, Kaitlyn Reiman of Cashmere, Sydney Reiman of Seattle and Jennifer Sturtz of Los Angeles, CA; great-grandchild, Jaxson Ryan Craig of Wenatchee; brothers, Steve (Kathy) Sturtz of Chelan, and Raymond (Barbara) Sturtz of Arlington, WA; and sister, Connie (Bill) McDermott of Henderson, NV. He is also survived by Sandy’s family, who loved him dearly, including mother-in-law, Mary Risen of Everett; sister-in-law, Sharon (Gary) Roberts of St. Charles, MO; and brothers-in-law, Mike (Bonny) Risen of East Wenatchee and Mark (Christine) Risen of Mill Creek, WA. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He loved each and every one of you.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1400 S. Miller Street, Wenatchee. Memorials may be made to Swedish Medical Center Foundation - First Hill Campus, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122. Please share your thoughts and memories for the family at www.telfordschapel.com. Arrangements are by Telford’s Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.